Addis Ababa is centered at the heart of the country. Addis Ababa in Amharic language means “New Flower”. It was founded by Emperor Menelik in 1886. Addis is graced as Africa’s diplomatic capital with the presence of the head quarter for the African Unity, a seat for numerous embassies and is the port of entry for most travelers. In the morning, arrive at Addis Ababa bole International Airport, meet with us and transfer to your Hotel then after Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto. We drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum (in Addis Ababa University) that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). Afternoon, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church (you will discover many turtles that have been here since before Addis Ababa was established in1886) and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. During evening, you will be attending the amazing shoulder to shoulder dances (northern culture) and other many live dances at best cultural restaurants in Addis (Habesha restaurant orYod Abyssinia). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa to Mizan Teferi (561km) Early morning, drive through many small villages to Mizan Teferi. Lunch in Jimma. Overnight – at chosen hotel – Mizan TeferiDay 3: Omo National Park Drive to Omo National Park through different tribes such as Dizi, Menit, and Surma. Overnight- tented camp at the Park’s Head Quarter – Omo Park

Day 4 & 5: Omo National Park

Two Full days looking for wildlife. Expected wildlife: Buffalo, Swayne Hartebeest, elephant, leopard, cheetah, lions, kudu, dik- dik, hyena, monkeys – such as velvet monkeys, common monkeys, Colobus Monkeys ….and birdlife. Note that there could be a Donga Fighting amongst the Surma Tribes during your visit. Based on the accomplishment of the target mission, you may attend the astonishing stick fighting. For the wildlife, an experienced wildlife guide will also join at the park’s head office. Overnight- tented camp at the Park’s Head Quarter – Omo ParkDay 6 – 8: Mago National Park Drive from Omo National Park to Hanna Mursi. Cross the Omo River by local boat and get the car on the other side of the river for Mago Park. In the park, looking for wildlife: Buffalo, elephant, kudu, dik-dik, monkeys…also Mursi tribes are settled here. Overnight – tented camp – Mago National Park

Day 13 -15: Bale Mountains National Park Looking for wildlife in the Dinsho Forest/Gaysay area, including Mountain Nyala, and transfer to the Sanetti Plateau area for Ethiopian Wolf (I assure you 100% that Ethiopian Wolf can be seen easily in this park!! I have been here many times & have found it with no problem at all!) And Giant Mole Rat, Harenna Forest (the forest is so dense! bird life is abundant!), Sof Omar (here bats being seen in the caves) natural cave (16km long). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Bale Goba (found at the bottom of Bale Mountains)

Day 16: Bale Mountains National Park to Lake Langano (255km) Last opportunity to photograph Ethiopian Wolf and transfer to Lake Langano. On the way, if not visited on day 14, visit Swayne’s hartebeest at Sinkille Swaynes Hartebeest sanctuary (seeing them in groups is 100% confirmed). Also visit Shalla – Abijata Lakes National Park for ostriches, antelopes, hot springs (at Lake Shalla) and enormous pink Flamingos at Lake Abijata. (Estimated driving time – 6hrs). Overnight – at chosen lodge – Langano

Day 17 -20: Awash National Park (254km) Morning at Lake Langano and drive to Awash National Park. On the way, visit Lake Ziway for birdlife. You can test fresh fish fished on Lake Ziway. Again on the way near Awash Park, bird watching on Lake Beseka. Looking for wildlife at Awash National Park: Oryx (100% confirmed), dik-dik, lion, cheetah, waterbuck (more probable if you can camp near the hot springs), kudu, monkeys & birds like bustard, secretary bird (About 4hrs drive). To see more wildlife camping nearby the hot spring is better. The hot spring is at about 30km dirt road from the main road from Addis Ababa to Harar. Overnight – in tented camp or lodge- Awash Park

After Breakfast; drive from Kombolcha to Lalibela (325km). This route is scenic. Visit the monasteries of Lake Haike which is just nearby the town of Dessie. Take stopovers for landscape views on the way. Overnight – chosen hotel – Lalibela

Day26: Visit Asheten Mariam, Nakuto Làab, first & second groups

Early morning. Trek to Asheten Mariam (optional) for a panoramic view of the region and a mountain Church. After Asheten Mariam; descend down for the first group of Churches. After lunch, visit the Second groups. Overnight – chosen hotel – Lalibela

Day27: Drive from Lalibela – Yimrahine Kristos –Mekelle Drive to the cave church called Yimrahine Kristos (42 km from Lalibela). This Church has been constructed by King Yimrahine Kristos during the13th Century. In the church, there are more than 5000 (five thousand) dead human skeletons (Bones) lying without any coverage for the past 700 years. They are supposed to be pilgrimages from Syria, Egypt and Ethiopia. The murals on the dark walls of the church, the year round spring water descending from the top of the church and the forest around are very impressive and worthy to be visited. Visit the church and proceed to Mekelle via Korem. Take Lunch at the Town of Korem. It is at Korem where the Asphalt road begins to Mekelle. Overnight – chosen hotel – Mekelle

Day28: Geralta Rock hewn Churches Drive from Mekelle to Wukro Cherkos/Hawzein/. This area is scenically spectacular and is a site for many architectural old rock hewn churches that are not found in the other areas of the country. Some of them are Abraha-We-Atsbeha, Degum Selassie, and Debre Tsion. Visit some of them today. Overnight – chosen hotel/lodge – Hawzein

Day30: the birth Place of Ethiopian History Explore the city of Axum. Axum treasures the ancient Ethiopian history. The attractions of Axum include: the archaeological museum, monolithic steles, the tombs of King Kaleb, and the legendary Bath and the ruins of ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba, St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses the original Ark of the Covenant. Almost all Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and some scholars believe firmly about the presence of the original Ark of God for centuries here in Axum, at the chapel in the middle of St Mary of Zion and Emperor Fassiladas’ Castle of Axum. Overnight – chosen hotel – Axum

Day31-33: Simien Mountains NP (300km) Drive to Simien Mountains National Park (about 6hours drive). On the way, discover the Tekezé River Gorge; appreciate the backside of the Semien Mountains. Photo stops on several spots. At Debark, we collect entrance tickets. Gelada Baboons (endemic) is everywhere after the parks gate (100% confirmed). Looking for Ethiopian Wolf (rarely found only on the top of Ras Dashen ‘4543m’), Walia Ibex (often being seen at Chennek camping site and Buayt (4430m) – near Chennek, and Gelada Baboon.( about 7hrs drive). Overnight – tented camp Chennek

Day34: Gander (158km): Drive to Gondar. On the way near the town of Gondar; visit of Woleka – a place of the Felasha or the black Jewish people for their synagogue and black pottery shop. Jews have amazing histories in Ethiopia even before the time of Gonderine Civilization (17-19century).The history of the Original Ark of the Covenant, supposed to be in Axum now is one to mention. Afternoon; visit the 17century church of Debre Birhan Selassie (Light of Trinity) unique in its murals, the Castles of emperor Fassiladas and his swimming pool, and palace of Empress Mentewab. (About 4hrs drive). Overnight – chosen hotel – Gondar

Day 35: Wanzaye- natural hot Spring (180km) After breakfast; drive to Bahir Dar (187km best asphalt road.) on the way; visit Wanzaye, a place for natural hot spring water (9kms from the main route to Bahir Dar). It is very important for the local people (a curing spa against some diseases).People will immerse into the hot spring bath (a big room that accommodates from 40 to 80 people together) for about 6 hours (3 hours morning and 3hours afternoon) per day. In doing so, the patient will be cured or will have seen changes from his disease within a weak. Lunch, at Wanzaye Hotel and drive to Bahir Dar. Near Bahir Dar, visit the Bezawit Hill tops and the palace of Emperor Haile SellassieI (entering is prohibited) & the Blue Nile (we call it Abay or Geon), leaving its source – Lake Tana. Also the sunset here is attractive. Overnight – chosen hotel – Bahir Dar

Day 36: The Tis Issat of the Blue Nile and Monasteries on Lake Tana After breakfast; drive to the small town of Tiss Abay (32km rough road) to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat means in Amharic: ‘Smoke of Fire’. Much of the water is diverted for Hydro electric Generation plant but it is still worth visiting for remaining waterfalls, trekking around and to see a Portuguese Bridge (17Century) and the country side as well. The area around the waterfall is amazingly fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which Injera, the national bread, is made). After the fall, return to Bahir Dar & make city tour of Bahir Dar which includes: market where you can find the pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, and Woito Basket market. Afternoon; take a chartered boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries (constructed during 14 up to 18 century). You will visit only the most accessible and representative of the monasteries on the lake, still serving their original function: Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam (in Zeghie Peninsula), Kibran Church (prohibited for women) & Entos Eyesus. Overnight – chosen hotel – Bahir Dar

Day 37: Day20: Addis – departure Morning, fly from Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa and departure in the evening. (End of the trip)